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brontherun's review against another edition
5.0
This volume is proof that good things come in small packages. Densely packed, it's relatively few pages require time and space in which to immerse yourself.
Rilke is a master of revealing beauty with language. I might describe a structure as "a stone bridge with 4 arcs." Rilke illuminates "And with what splendid rhythm the bridge at Sevres leaps across the river, pausing, resting, gathering strength and leaping forward again three times." A genius really, who turns his talents upon describing the life and key works of his contemporary, Rodin.
Creator extraordinaire of sculpture, Rodin is known for his amazing feats of bringing human form and relationships of the space between human forms to life. Rilke explains how Rodin's personal life impacts his development of "quality of workmanship" and "conscientiousness of execution" which honed his talents through his career. His ability to transform our relationships to bodies is stupendous, even from such a singular body part as the hands. "Rodin has made hands, independent, small, hands which, without forming part of a body, are yet alive."
Rilke also explores Rodin's expertise in bringing historical figures to contemporary times - either through busts, monuments, or entire pieces depicting historical events. "Rodin has always shown this power of the lifting the past into the realm of the permanent in which historical characters or facts seek to live again through his art; most triumphantly, perhaps in the Burghers of Calais."
Comprised really of two essays on his topic, Rilke does not do an exhaustive launch into either biographical details or the his repertoire, but with his writing he brings us a fabulous depiction of the great sculptor.
Rilke is a master of revealing beauty with language. I might describe a structure as "a stone bridge with 4 arcs." Rilke illuminates "And with what splendid rhythm the bridge at Sevres leaps across the river, pausing, resting, gathering strength and leaping forward again three times." A genius really, who turns his talents upon describing the life and key works of his contemporary, Rodin.
Creator extraordinaire of sculpture, Rodin is known for his amazing feats of bringing human form and relationships of the space between human forms to life. Rilke explains how Rodin's personal life impacts his development of "quality of workmanship" and "conscientiousness of execution" which honed his talents through his career. His ability to transform our relationships to bodies is stupendous, even from such a singular body part as the hands. "Rodin has made hands, independent, small, hands which, without forming part of a body, are yet alive."
Rilke also explores Rodin's expertise in bringing historical figures to contemporary times - either through busts, monuments, or entire pieces depicting historical events. "Rodin has always shown this power of the lifting the past into the realm of the permanent in which historical characters or facts seek to live again through his art; most triumphantly, perhaps in the Burghers of Calais."
Comprised really of two essays on his topic, Rilke does not do an exhaustive launch into either biographical details or the his repertoire, but with his writing he brings us a fabulous depiction of the great sculptor.
lyx's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
2.0
Pictures/ photos were disappointingly unclear, without information on the material used for the artwork in the description. A cohesive and interesting dive into Rodin’s works nonetheless.
marathonreader's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
In 1919, Rilke wrote his essay "August Rodin" as a tribute to the French sculptor, whom he addressed in his letters as Master. Rilke references a series of Rodin's works in gorgeous metaphors and contemplations (I say as one inexperienced in all forms of art). He begins, though, with a sort-of introduction to Rodin, and his solitary practices:"No one knew of his struggles; he had no confidants and few friends. Behind the work that provided him with necessities his growing work hid itself awaiting its time. He read a great deal. At this time he might have been seen in the streets of Brussels always with a book in his hand, but perhaps this book was but a pretext for the absorption in himself, in the gigantic task that lay before him. As with all creative people the feeling of having a great work before him was an incitement, something that augmented or concentrated his forces" (30).
In the end, Rilke talks about how Rodin lived and existed within himself, so focused on his works. He says, "therein lay a certain renunciation of Life, but in just this renunciation lay his triumph, for Life entered into his work" (95). This is also the man who wrote, from Prague in 1892, "if the period creates no great men for itself, then the man will create himself a great period." I feel like Rilke's comment on Rodin, in other words, is also just a discussion on his own philosophy, as seen in this earlier letter to Franz Kim.
Rodin has a sculpture called Study of a Hand (1881). To this, Rilke says: "Hands are a complicated organism, a delta into his many divergent streams of life rush together in order to pour themselves into the great storm of action. There is a history of ands; they have their own culture, their particular beauty; one concedes to them the right of their own development, their own needs, feelings, caprices and tenderness" (48).
In the end, Rilke talks about how Rodin lived and existed within himself, so focused on his works. He says, "therein lay a certain renunciation of Life, but in just this renunciation lay his triumph, for Life entered into his work" (95). This is also the man who wrote, from Prague in 1892, "if the period creates no great men for itself, then the man will create himself a great period." I feel like Rilke's comment on Rodin, in other words, is also just a discussion on his own philosophy, as seen in this earlier letter to Franz Kim.
Rodin has a sculpture called Study of a Hand (1881). To this, Rilke says: "Hands are a complicated organism, a delta into his many divergent streams of life rush together in order to pour themselves into the great storm of action. There is a history of ands; they have their own culture, their particular beauty; one concedes to them the right of their own development, their own needs, feelings, caprices and tenderness" (48).
msand3's review
3.0
These two essays are more about glorifying Rodin than providing an analysis or description of his methods. It’s beautifully written, even a bit gushing. The generous Introduction by William H. Gass provides excellent context and made me more interested to read biographical accounts of Rilke’s time with Rodin rather than the essays themselves. The accompanying photographs by Eastman provide a beautiful counterpoint to the text, although I would have enjoyed seeing some of the sculptures Rilke discusses. Luckily, the Internet age made that quite easy with a couple of quick searches.
ogik's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Incredibly poetic in-depth look at Rodin's work, brimming with love for the art and everything that it represents. Highly recommended reading because it's unlike the usual art analysis.
senid's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a tribute to Rodin and his sculptures written by Rilke. The writing itself is poetic art. It would be nice to find a version of this that had pictures of the sculptures as they are described.
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